Brian Cashman, general manager of the New York Yankees, is taking a cautious approach to the left field position, waiting patiently for a great opportunity to strike. Although the free agent market is extremely thin, with Jurickson Profar likely to be the top available target, the trade market holds far more promise.
Yankees Rumors: Bryan Reynolds Trade Is Getting Closer; Can the Yankees Pull It Off?
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The Yankees have been linked to Max Kepler of the Minnesota Twins and Bryan Reynolds of the Pittsburgh Pirates, so contacting Austin Meadows makes sense.
However, Reynolds trade rumors are resurfacing, with the Pirates likely to move him before the 2023 season, if not sooner.
According to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Reynolds could be on the move soon, if not during the 2023 season.
The Yankees may not have what the Pirates are looking for:
Pittsburgh wants top pitching prospects in exchange for Reynolds, which the Yankees may not have.
Nonetheless, some of their other top positional prospects could be included in a potential deal. The performances of Jasson Dominguez, Anthony Volpe, and Oswald Peraza stand out.
Cashman is desperate to keep Volpe, so Peraza or Dominguez could be available for the right price, and Reynolds certainly fits the bill.
Read more: A ‘Fair Trade Proposal’ for a 3-player package from LA for Bryan Reynolds
The Bombers would be acquiring a player who hit 27 home runs in 2022 while batting.262 with a.345 OBP.
He had a 125 wRC+, but his whiff and chase rates increased. The Yankees are most interested in his 2021 season, when he hit.302 with a.390 OBP, 24 homers, and 90 RBIs and a 141 wRC+.
Reynolds would undoubtedly help the Yankees’ World Series chances by providing an elite offensive player and switch-hitting bat in left field.
Reynolds is also only arbitration-eligible in 2024 and will be a free agent in 2026. The team would almost certainly extend him sooner, securing a potent outfield for years to come.
The main question is whether Cashman should sell high on Dominguez as he ascends to the farm system or take a calculated risk and hope he pans out in a few years.
Obviously, trading for proven talent is always a good idea, but it all comes down to what Pittsburgh wants, and the impact will be significant.
